Oscar De La Hoya has come a long way since winning a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Games. Now the Golden Boy has been bronzed, as a statue of him made from that metal alloy was unveiled Monday at Staples Center’s Star Plaza.
De La Hoya’s statue joined those of Magic Johnson and Wayne Gretzky, former Lakers and Kings stars, respectively.
“I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be here with a statue of me next to Wayne Gretzky and Magic Johnson,” said De La Hoya, 35. “Growing up in East Los Angeles, wanting to grow up and be a fighter, just wanting to be something and somebody, East Los Angeles instilled something in me that made me work hard, dedicate myself to my dreams and is something I am very proud of today.”
De La Hoya, who is taking on Manny Pacquiao on Saturday at MGM Grand in Las Vegas, has won championships in a record six weight classes.
Bob Arum promoted De La Hoya for two-thirds of his career. The two have had two rather unpleasant splits, and De La Hoya has gone on to head his own highly successful promotional company.
But Arum, chairman of Top Rank Inc., is seen by many as the man largely responsible for De La Hoya becoming the attraction he became, thus paving the way for Monday’s honor.
“I think one of the reasons is that he has generally delivered,” Arum said Monday when asked about De La Hoya’s rise to the top of the popularity charts. De La Hoya is boxing’s all-time money-making fighter.
“His fights have been hyped and generally his fights have lived up to the hype. Many people enjoy watching him fight and he has crossed over to the general public and I think that, to a great extent, is responsible for his success at the box office.”
Those looking to purchase the HBO pay-per-view feed of De La Hoya-Pacquiao will have to shell out $54.95. This seems high for two reasons: Many in the boxing world believe this fight is a no-win situation for De La Hoya because he is the bigger man and is expected to win, and the shakiness of the economy.
Richard Schaefer is CEO of De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, which is co-promoting the card. He noted that last week the market made an incredible recovery, and that he “can see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
Arum made another observation.
“Whenever times are bad, entertainment, if it’s priced right, does very very well,” Arum said. “And on a pay-per-view, even one with a price tag of $54.95, it is very, very inexpensive if you follow the lead of the Filipinos and the Hispanics who watch it in groups.
“Four couples buy beer with tacos or pizza and the evening is cheaper than going to a movie and going out for a bite afterward.”
Sales pitch Bad timing?
Schaefer was asked Monday during a conference call if De La Hoya receiving his statue in a big ceremony five days before his fight could be too much of a distraction. Schaefer said it was quite the contrary.
“What you have to understand, this is a dream come true for Oscar as well, to be there along with Magic and Wayne Gretzky,” said Schaefer, who said getting this kind of recognition close to a fight would pump up De La Hoya even more. “I don’t think there could have been any better time than Oscar taking off an hour later to Las Vegas after getting that kind of honor bestowed upon him.”
